p. 15 | The North Dakota Camp-Meeting by J. T. BOETTCHER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 15, 1909

The North Dakota Camp-Meeting

By J. T. BOETTCHER

This meeting was held in Jamestown, June 21-27, in the so-called “Anton Kurz Park,” just across the James River. It was the largest meeting North Dakota has held in many years; some said the largest it had ever had. The conference had purchased two large new tents, and a number of smaller ones, thus giving ample room for the different nationalities represented at this meeting. Preaching was carried on in the English, Scandinavian, Russian, and German languages. This is probably the only conference in the States where the Germans are in the majority. There must have been nearly seven hundred on the ground. The most of these people had formerly come from Russia. They left their native country because of religious oppression, and have settled in free America. It was a very striking coincidence that while we were at this meeting, we received the good news that the Duma, in Russia, had passed a bill favoring religious toleration. There was great rejoicing in the camp, for this means much to the cause of God in that country. A number of brethren expressed a desire to go back to visit their friends and relatives, and take the message of salvation to them. One young man will go to our school in Friedensau, Germany, for one year, and then enter the work in Russia. He said that this has been the burden of his heart for several months. We are glad that the Lord has put the burning desire into the hearts of the young people to go into the hard places. This is as it should be.

The Sabbath day was one of special blessing to the entire camp. The weather was favorable, therefore almost every one was out to meeting. The Sabbath-school was carried on in the different departments and nationalities. The German tent being too small for class recitation, a general class was formed, and every one took an active interest in the lesson studied. According to count, there were present: Germans, 428 members, donations $133.20; Russians, 7 members, donations $2.25; English, 118 members, donations $22; Scandinavians, 44 members, donations $15.36; children, 88 members, donations $4.05; making a total membership of 685, donations $176.86, all of which goes to the foreign missions.

After Sabbath-school, there was preaching service in English by Elder O. A. Johnson, and in German by Elder G. F. Haffner. The Lord came very near to many a fainting heart and back-slidden sinner. Prayers of repentance were uttered, sometimes fifteen or more praying at once. Fathers went to their children and confessed their sins, and children to their parents. In the afternoon fifty were baptized in the James River, the entire camp witnessing the scene, Brother Carl Kunkel and Lars Neilsen administering the rite. Sometimes they would speak in English, sometimes in German, and at other times in the Scandinavian language, according to the nationality of the candidate. Husband and wife, brother and sister, could be seen walking arm in arm into the watery grave together. Their faces were shining with joy as they stepped out. It was very interesting to see how the truth of God binds all nationalities together in the great bond of love. On the following Sunday four more were baptized, making in all fifty-four. A number of others were also willing to follow their Lord, but it was thought best for them to wait until they should return home, that their respective churches might unite in receiving the blessing with them.

Sunday was a missionary day on a large scale. Talks were given on the needs of the cause of God in all the world. After this, requests were made to those present to support the work, which met with a hearty response. Pledges amounting to $3,285.50; cash, $683.60; grain yet in the field, $615; 240 acres of land, $4,000; also live stock, amounting to $25, were laid upon the altar of God. In another tent there were pledges and cash offered, bringing the total amount to about $11,000. We are sure that this is a step in the right direction. There was no excitement among the people, rather a thoughtful consideration of the needs of God's work. One man gave one quarter section of land, half of which is to go to the school in Russia, forty acres to the General Conference, and the other forty acres to the work in the home field. Even though this was not a regular conference meeting, an expression was taken of those present of how much of their tithe should go to the support of the missionary work. They were willing to give from one fifth to one fourth of their regular tithe, beginning either with November, 1909, or January, 1910, as the committee may decide. This will amount to about $4,000 a year to the General Conference work.

The book work is also onward in North Dakota. The Lord is wonderfully blessing those who are in the field. A good interest was taken in this work at the camp-meeting, and some twelve more will enter the work in addition to those already engaged. From every part of the State we received the report of good crop prospects, and there is nothing to hinder North Dakota from making the best record she has ever made.

I have never seen such fine fields of grain as met our view from Jamestown south to Sioux Falls. The whole country looked like a garden of Eden. Where ten years ago I saw log houses and little claim shanties, there now stand great red barns and neat houses surrounded by little groves and orchards. Surely the prospering hand of God is manifest. The people in the United States are favored with many more blessings in this respect than those of other countries, and therefore God will hold them accountable for the means entrusted to them.

Help from outside was rendered by Brethren G. B. Thompson, O. A. Johnson, H. J. Loebsack, G. F. Haffner, F. L. Perry, Dr. C. P. Farnsworth, T. D. Gibson, W. L. Manfull, and the writer. The people went home with a determination in their hearts to serve the Lord better than ever before. I was glad for one to have been present at this meeting. J. T. BOETTCHER.